Three diverse artists, working in divergent mediums, look at the interaction of creating perfect surfaces with imperfections in the upcoming Loading Dock Gallery exhibit, “Unwinding.” Each of the pieces from Patty Newell, Eric White, and Barbara Jean Gilbert incorporates materials that are complex, idiosyncratic, and otherwise influenced by forces beyond the artists’ control.

Patty Newell creates acrylic paintings using an almost scientific focus on technique, but with distinctly organic or fluid images. Her intensely pigmented paintings are architecturally slick while remaining visually and emotionally engaging because of the softness and depth of the patterns formed.

Eric White works with wood from trees that have fallen or been cut and abandoned. Utilizing the damaged parts of the wood- such as wounds, burls, old decay and edges, he creates beautiful 3-D objects. These pieces come alive with the patterns created by the parts of the wood that most would discard.

Barbara Jean Gilbert’s paintings reflect her interest in architecture. Her work ranges from deeply colored oils and acrylics on canvas to inks and charcoal soaked into heavily gessoed papers, with line work that coils and relaxes as it settles into geometric abstractions or surreal imagery.Unwinding runs from May 30 to July 1, 2018. There will be an opening reception on Saturday, June 2 from 5 PM to 7 PM.

The Loading Dock Gallery, a part of Loading Dock Arts, Inc., a 501c3, is open Wednesday - Saturday from Noon to 5:30 PM, and Sunday from Noon to 4 PM. It is located at the entrance of Western Avenue Studios, 122 Western Avenue, in Lowell, MA. For more information, call 978-656-1687 or visit www.theloadingdockgallery.com.